Delta Lithium Limited reports strong drilling results at its Mt Ida and Yinnetharra projects, alongside successful production of battery-grade lithium carbonate and a robust financial position.
- Mt Ida JORC Mineral Resource Estimate at 14.8Mt @ 1.2% Li2O
- High-grade lithium intercepts up to 2.07% Li2O from recent drilling
- Successful downstream processing yields 99.8% pure lithium carbonate
- Yinnetharra exploration 55% complete with promising results at Jameson prospect
- Strong cash balance of $54M plus $145M in ASX-listed investments
Exploration Momentum at Mt Ida
Delta Lithium Limited (ASX – DLI) has delivered a robust update on its lithium exploration activities in Western Australia, highlighting significant progress at the Mt Ida project. The company’s current JORC Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for Mt Ida stands at 14.8 million tonnes grading 1.2% lithium oxide (Li2O), with measured and indicated resources comprising over half of this total. Recent drilling, conducted in partnership with Ballard Mining, has intercepted high-grade lithium mineralisation, including standout results such as 21 metres at 2.07% Li2O and 34 metres at 1.86% Li2O. These intercepts not only reinforce the quality of the resource but also enhance confidence in the geological model underpinning the project.
Advances in Downstream Processing
Beyond exploration, Delta Lithium has made strides in metallurgical testwork, successfully producing a battery-grade lithium carbonate product with 99.8% purity from Mt Ida mica concentrate. This achievement signals potential for vertical integration, allowing the company to add value by processing its own concentrate into a saleable lithium chemical. Further hydrometallurgical development aims to extract additional products such as rubidium carbonate and potassium sulphate, which could diversify revenue streams and improve project economics.
Yinnetharra Exploration Progress
At the Yinnetharra Lithium Project, which spans over 2,300 square kilometres in the Gascoyne Lithium Province, exploration is advancing steadily with approximately 55% of the current drilling program completed. The project’s existing MRE totals 21.9 million tonnes at 1.0% Li2O. Drilling at the high-grade Jameson prospect has yielded encouraging results, including 13 metres at 1.96% Li2O, bolstering confidence in the resource. While some targets have returned variable results; a common feature in greenfields exploration; the ongoing program is systematically testing multiple prospects, including the promising East Calypso area, which shares geological similarities with the nearby Malinda deposit.
Financial Strength and Strategic Positioning
Delta Lithium’s exploration success is underpinned by a strong financial foundation, with a cash balance of $54 million as of December 2025 and an additional $145 million in ASX-listed investments, including a significant stake in Ballard Mining. This financial strength provides the company with flexibility to continue aggressive exploration and development activities across its portfolio without immediate capital constraints.
Looking Ahead
The company plans to complete the current drilling campaigns at both Mt Ida and Yinnetharra in the coming months, with resource model updates and further assay results expected to follow. Continued metallurgical testwork aims to refine the downstream processing flowsheet, potentially unlocking additional value from by-products. As lithium prices and market sentiment improve, Delta Lithium is positioning itself to transition from exploration to development, aiming to capitalise on its high-quality assets and strong balance sheet.
Bottom Line?
Delta Lithium’s latest drilling and processing milestones set the stage for resource upgrades and potential project development in a recovering lithium market.
Questions in the middle?
- How will upcoming resource updates at Mt Ida affect project valuation and development timelines?
- What is the commercial potential and timeline for rubidium and potassium by-products from Mt Ida’s hydrometallurgy program?
- Can Delta Lithium sustain exploration momentum and convert Yinnetharra’s greenfields prospects into defined resources?